Europe’s air connectivity still lags behind 2019 despite passenger growth and shifting travel demand

Credit: ACI Europe

ACI EUROPE’s 2025 Airport Industry Connectivity Report, released ahead of the organisation’s 35th Annual Congress & General Assembly, shows that although air connectivity in Europe rose by +7% in 2025 compared to the previous year, it remains -9% below 2019 levels. This is in sharp contrast to passenger volumes, which fully recovered in 2024 and have continued to grow in 2025. The figures reveal that consumers now face fewer and often more expensive travel options.

Compiled using SEO Amsterdam Economics’ comprehensive connectivity indexes, the report highlights how unsupportive policies, structural market shifts and geopolitical tensions are impacting connectivity patterns and performance across national and airport markets.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE, said:
“The data we present today is unequivocal: Europe urgently needs a strategic policy reset that places air connectivity as a key pillar of its competitiveness, cohesion and strategic autonomy agendas.”
He added: “With every 10% increase in direct air connectivity linked to a 0.5% rise in GDP per capita, it is European citizens who ultimately pay the price.”

Diverging national trends and geopolitical impact

EU+ markets (-8% vs. 2019) have recovered more connectivity than non-EU+ markets (-12%). The largest losses came from Ukrainian airports (complete loss of connectivity), Russia (-43%), Belarus (-70%) and Israel (-21%), largely due to ongoing conflicts.

Within the EU+, countries like Greece (+35%), Portugal (+10%) and Cyprus (+8%) led growth. Meanwhile, 13 EU+ countries experienced double-digit losses, including Sweden (-33%), Finland (-30%), Czech Republic (-22%), Austria and Germany (both -21%). National aviation taxes and geopolitics were major contributors.

Among larger EU+ markets, only Spain surpassed its 2019 levels (+3%). The UK (-7%), France (-14%) and Germany lagged behind. France’s decline is expected to worsen due to recent increases in aviation taxation.

Outside the EU+, top performers included Uzbekistan (+73%), Albania (+56%), Bosnia & Herzegovina (+40%), Armenia and Türkiye (both +36%).

Istanbul leads Europe’s direct connectivity

Istanbul (+13% vs. 2019) tops Europe’s direct connectivity rankings, moving from 5th place in 2019. The Turkish hub offers Europe’s best direct access to the Middle East, strong links to Asia Pacific, and excellent connectivity to Africa and Europe.

Amsterdam Schiphol (-4%) ranks second, largely due to strong intra-European connectivity. However, its future is uncertain due to planned capacity cuts. London Heathrow (-2%) follows in third, maintaining top North American connectivity and strong links to the Middle East.

Frankfurt (-11%) overtook Paris CDG (-7%) for fourth place, driven by a +17% increase in Asia Pacific routes. Paris remains competitive globally with strong connectivity to Africa, Latin America, and North America.

Several leisure-oriented airports exceeded 2019 connectivity levels, including Antalya (+29%), Athens (+24%), Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (+14%), Palma de Mallorca (+11%), Dublin (+8%), Lisbon (+4%), Rome Fiumicino (+3%), and Barcelona (+1%). This reflects the growing influence of leisure/VFR demand and ultra-low-cost carrier (LCC) expansion.

Direct connectivity from LCCs has grown +19% since 2019, while full-service carriers (FSCs) have seen a -15% decline, underlining the market shift towards direct point-to-point routes.

Hub connectivity: Istanbul now ranks first globally

Istanbul now leads the world in hub connectivity, up +59% since 2019, overtaking Frankfurt (-21%). Dallas Fort Worth (+5%) ranks second, followed by Frankfurt. Istanbul’s position is attributed to Turkish Airlines’ growth, geographical advantage, and supportive policy.

Globally, Europe’s hub connectivity remains -12% below 2019 levels, consistently lagging behind direct connectivity (-5%). Structural changes in aviation, including the retreat of FSCs and LCCs bypassing traditional hubs, are key factors.

Eight European airports remain in the top 20 globally for hub connectivity, joined by eight from North America and four from Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Tokyo Haneda (+51%) and Doha (+43%) posted the strongest global gains. Meanwhile, major Western European hubs all remain below 2019 levels, constrained by weak economic conditions and policy pressures.

Read the full report here. 

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